Apparatus for treating brick.



*e-z mez em W A. A. SCOTT. APPARATUS FOR TREATING BRICK.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1912. 1,054,949, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Q 5 cm A. A. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING BRICK. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1912.

1,954,040, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

LY iw /u/ i/d o Z7 A. A. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING BRICK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1912. LGE J MQQ Patented Feb.'25,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. A. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING BRICK.

APPLIUATIOR FILED MAY 31, 1912.

lflmc mjm Patented Feb. 25,1913.

6 SHEET S-SHEET 5.

i A. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING BRICK.

1 q AQPLIOATION FILED MAY31, 1912 f 1 71 K @5% g ratentem M120, 1913.

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ALEXANDER A. SCOTT, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE APPARATUS FOR TREATINGBRICK.

aosaoao.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, i 911 3.

Application filed May 31v 1912. Serial No. 700,856.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER A. SCOTT, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee,(whose postofiice address is 122 Scott street, Knoxville, Tennessee.)have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Treating Brick, whichinvention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the art of brickmaking, and has for its objectto provide eiiicient and continuously operating apparatus foreconomically handling, drying, burning and cooling bricks.

In burning bricks according to the present invention, dried bricks areplaced in a kilnchamber, preferably mounted upon suitable trucks movingona track or way, which may be, and preferably is, extended through aclosed tunnel. lVhen operating to the best advantage, a series of saidkiln-chambers are connected together in atrain, which is advanced stepby step through said closed tunnel, the said tunnel being spacedsuiticiently away from the train of kiln-chain bers to form a dryingchamber, preferably above the train of kiln-chambers, and the burningoperation takes place at a point in the train of kiln-chambersintermediate the ends of the train, preferably near the middle portionthereof. Convenient means are provided for the introduction of fuel intoa suitably arranged combustion chamber constructed within each of thekilnchambers. The rear end of one kiln-chamber is connected to theforward end of the succeeding kiln-chamber in the train by a suitablefine or fines, preferably so arranged that the products of combustionare compelled to pass, and be distributed equally between all of thebricks contained in each kiln-chamber. this is preferably secured byconstructing the combustion chamber in the front of each kiln-chamberwith its discharge opening at or near the top of the kilnchum ber, andwith the dues which connect with the next succeeding chamber in thetrain located at or near the bottom of the kiln-chamber, and leadinginto the combustion chamber of the succeeding kiln-chamher.

The bricks are burned at the point where the fuel is admitted to thekiln-chamber, and the but products of combustion are preferably passedin an indirect or zigzag line through the several kiln-chambers to therear chamber of the train, and thence to a suitable outlet, anartificial draft being employed to effect the passage of the gases ofcombustion rearward. When the bricks in the middle kiln-chamber orchambers have been sufficiently burned, the train is advanced the lengthof one kiln-chamber, a new chamber with dried (and preferably hot)bricks is added to the rear of the train and introduced into the tunnelas the train 1s advanced. By this means, the hot gases of combustion actto burn the bricks in the.

ki1n-chambers where combustion actually takes place, and as the gasesare drawn rearward through the train, serve to heat up the bricks inthat portion of the train to the rear of the point where actual burningtakes place, so that when they reach the point of actual combustion,they are already well heated and the actual burning operation can bethus performed much more rapidly and economically. In this way, thebricks are passed through a heating up, and then through a burning zone.Having been burned, the kiln-chambers containing the highly heatedburned bricks are advanced step by step through the tunnel beyond theburning station, as additional kiln-chambers containing dried bricks areadded to the rear of the train at the initial end of the i'nclflsingtunnel.

Each of the kiln-chambers is provided with an outlet or outlets,preferably located in the top thereof, and closed by a suitable valve orcover during the heating up and the burning steps. After thekiin-chamber has passed the burning station, however, the valves orcovers of these out-lets are opened, and cold air is introduced orallowed Preferably the artificial Gas-a, which moves the hot products ofcombustion the burning station rearward through the ttain to heat up thebricks previous to burn.

ing, is secured by a suction draft located at the rear end of the trainor-ini tial of of the fines.

thetunnel. This may be in the nature of a suction fan or suitable stack,or any other means for edectively producing a suction draft. Theartificial draft of air over the burned bricks however, may be a forceddraft, such as a fan or any other means for forcing the air into thefront end of the train and through the kiln-chambers. This forced draftacts to force the cooling current of air between. the hot bricks andoutward through the outlets in the kiln-chambers,'and also may be usedto supply the requisite amount of air to support combustion atthe'co-mbustion station.

The inclosing tunnel is preferably of sufficient length to permitthebricks which are introduced at the rear end of the train (the initialendof the tunnel) to become properly heated up by the time they reach thecombustion station, and also to permit the burned bricks to. becooled-by the time they reach the exit end of the tunnel at the forwardend of the train, to be removed therefrom preferably in unit groups, ashereinafter described. The kiln containing the burned bricks at the exitend of the tunnel will preferably be still hot or warm.

When a kiln-chamber is attached to the train at the initial end of thetunnel, the kiln-chamber is not only supplied with dried' bricks withinthe kiln-chamber, but preferably there is, also a quantity of 'wetbricks or bricks to be dried on top of the kilnchamber. Preferably,these bricks are in unit groups, which groups are also preferably ofsuch size or contain such a number of bricks that one or more of thegroups will fill or -charge the kiln-chamber when they are dried andremoved from the top of thekiln chamber and] laced therein,' as willbehereinafter descri ed.

Preferably, each of the kiln-chambers has a forwardwall entirely closingtheforward end of the kiln-chamber, except for the flue or flues wherebyit is connected to the kiln.- chamber, immediately preceding it in thetrain, as before mentioned. The rear end of each of the kiln-chambersmay be, and preferably .is open, that is, without anyend wall (thisopening being for the purpose of filling and em tying the chamber).

When the several ki n-chambers are buttedtogether end to end to form thetrain, the closed end of one kiln-chamber is joined to the open rear endof the immediately precedin kiln-chamber, thereby effectively closing tc said opening, but leaving com munication between the chambers byreason Suitable construction is provided for effectively sealing thejoints between the kiln-chambers when the chambers are coupled togetherin any suitable manner to form a continuous train.

The hot products of combustion are drawn rearward by the suction draftwithin the tained by the kiln-walls.

Loeaoao through the outlet in the rear end of the train. The closedjoints. under ordinary working conditions are intended to prevent theleakage of the gases of combustion from the kiln-chambers into thesurrounding space of the tunnel to the rear of the combustion chamber;however, there may be more or less openings through the joints, but thesuction draft prevents the exitof the gases of combustion through suchopenings. This is of particular im ortance, since the gases ofcombustion, if t ey come in contact with the wet bricks, would seriouslyinjure the same, and materially reduce their appearance and marketvalue. At the same time, while the hot products of combustion areretained within the kilnchambers, the heat radiated from the top,

sides and bottom surfaces of all the kiln chambers of the train acts toheat up. the air of the inclosing tunnel, and greatly assists in dryingthe bricks. The air forced into the rear end of the train at theeui't'end of the tunnel, and passing between the hot burned bricks,emerges through the outlets in the kiln-chambers into the space of thesurrounding tunnel, after becoming highl heated through contact with theburne bricks, and thisheated air, in conjunction with the air heated byradiation. from the kiln-chambers serves to effectively dry the brickson top of the kiln-chambers. It will thus. be observed that the driedbricks within the kiln-chambers are continuously passed through aheating up,a burning and a cooling zone, and that the wet-bricks on topof the kiln-chambers are-simultaneously dried by the action ofwaste'heat.

When the kiln-chamber having dried v And since preferably, as abovesug*gested;,, the bricks are placed in the kiln-chamber 1n unlt groups,suitable means for handling" .bricks within the sameand wet or damp.

the bricks in unit groups are rovided,which i remove the charge ofbricks rom within the kiln-chamber in one or more unit grou s. Thisoperation being performed by suita le apparatus, rather than removingthe bricks sin ly by hand, the bricks can be removed while-the kiln isstill too hot to be entered by workmen, and hencethe time that wouldotherwise be consumed in waiting for the kiln to cool is saved, as isalso theheat re- The dried bricks on topof the kilns are still quitehot, as is also the kiln-chamber, and since these bricks on top or thekiln-chamber have preferably been placed thereon in unit groups, thesaid unit groups are lifted bodily in one or more units oy suitableapparatus and placed within the kiln through the open end thereof. Wetbricks are then placed upon the kilnhainher, preferably in a unit groupor groups, as before, and the kiln is then immediately returned to theinitial end of the tunnel and attached to the rear end of the train, orthe kiln may be charged or unloaded, and the bricks handled at anyconvenient place during the circuit of the kiln from the exit to theinitial end of the tunnel, and the operation repeated. This has theadvantage that the kiln-chamber and the bricks therein are started onthe operation while still hot, and the heat and time that would berequired to bring them up to this starting temperature if the kiln andthe bricks were introduced cold, is thus saved.

A further and important advantage is secured by having the bricks andthe kilnchamber hot at the time they are intro duced into the train, andsubjected to the action of the gases of combustion. lhese gases carry aconsiderable amount of -moisture which would be condensed on the bricksif they were cold. This moisture would take up a large amount ofimpurities carried by the gases of combustion, and when the moisture wasagain evaporated from the bricks as they were heated up, the impuritieswould remain on the burned bricks forming a white coating known in theart as white wash. By having the bricks and kiln hot when firstsubjected to the action of the gases of combustion, no condensation ofthe moisture on the bricks takes place, and the deposit of impuritiesand resultant white wash is avoided.

A further advantage, due to the introduction of the hot kiln andhotfbricks, lies in the fact that the train itself and the inciosingtunnel need not be as long as would be required if the bricks andkilnchamberswere introduced at the initial end of the tunnel in a coldstate, so that the cost of the plant is thus materially reduced.

The inventive idea involved is capable of embodiment in a variety ofmechanical structures, and for the purpose of illustratin the invention,1 have shown one embo iment thereof in the accompanying.

essential that all of such parts should be thus united into a completeapparatus, since many of the benefits of the invention can be secured byusing certain portions of the apparatus while omitting other portions.

While I have described producer gas as the fuel, either gas, oil, coal(preferably powdered) or other suitable fuel may be employed. I I

in the drawingsFigure 1 is a broken plan view, and Fig. 2 a sideelevation; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail of he rearend of the train of kiln-chamhers entering the initial end o-f'thetunnel; Fig. i is a like view of the forward end of the trainof-kiln-chambers at the exit end of the tunnel; Fig. 5 is a verticallongitudinal'sectiontaken at the combustion station intermediate theends of the tunnel; Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on theline 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of the trainof kiln-chambers and the tunnel; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of thetransfer fork; Fig. 9 is a detail showing the joint closure; and Fig. 10is a detail showing the means for coupling the kiln-chambers together.

Referring to these drawings, in which like reference numerals indicatelike parts, 1 indicates an inclosing tunnel having a suitable track orway 2 extending longitudinally 'therethrough, and 3 is a combustionsupply station located intermediate the ends ofthe tunnel and providedwith any suitable ordesired number (here shown as three) nozzles orother devices 4 for introducing the fuel through the walls of the tunnell and of the kiln-chambers into the distributing'ducts 5 of thekiln-chambers. A gas producer 6 is connected by a suitable conduit 7with the fuel supply station. On the track 2 extending through thetunnel is a train of wheeled kiln-chambers 8, 8. of suit-able refractorymaterial. These kilnchembers are preferably of the crown-kiln type (anoval crown is shown, but a fly crown may be used), as shown incross-section in Fig. 6, and are closed IteO e end. shown in the presentinstance as he forward end, by an end closure wall 9, and are open atthe other end. As here shown, the closed end is the forward end of thekiln-chamber, and the open end is the rear end thereof. Each of saidkiln-chambers is provided with a flash wall 10 suitably spaced from theend wall 9 so as to form a combustion chamber 11 in communication withthe distributing ducts 5 through ports or openings 12. This flash wall10 in the present instanc e extends entirely across the kiln-chamber andfrom the bottom thereof upward, terminating short of the top or crown ofthe chamber, so as to leave-a free COltlInllDlCalIlOIl between the topof the combution chamber 11 and the upper portion of the kiln-chamber,If desired, this flash wall 10 may have dues or openings 13 between thetwo walls, and near the bottom portion of this second wall 14, there is,or may be, provided one or more openings or lines 16, and the space 15may be closed,

or left open at its top and bottom as shown. Suitable brick supports arearranged within the kiln-chambers 8 forsupporting the bricks to beburned. These supports may be, and preferably are, in the form oflongitudinally arranged ribs 17 of refractory material suitably spacedapart so as to leave flues or ducts 18 between them. These ribs may besupported in any suitable way, and in the present instance are shown asresting uponthe floors of'the kiln-chambers, and the fines 18 betweenthe ribs are or may be in opencoinmunication with the bottoms of thefines or? ducts 15.

While in the present instance, the fuel distributing ducts on; fiues 5are shown at the bottom and at the forward end of the kiln-chambers,this particular location is not essential, since they may be otherwiselocated and thecombustion chamber correspondingly changed, but thearrangement 9 shown is the onepreferred.

,wet bricks.

Through the forward end wall of each of the kiln-chambers, a flue orfines 19 is or may be provided communicating, as in the presentinstance, with the bottbm ofthe combustion chamber 11, and through thetop or crown of the kiln-chambers air outlet fiues 20: are formed, whichare provided with'suitable closures or; covers 21. One or moreof suchoutlet-flues may be provided for each kiln-chamber, andas here shown,fig-'6, there are two of such flues. The

overs 21 may be removed or placed in position by means of suitable rodso-rhooks inside walls of the tunnel 1.

Extending transversely or longitudinally on the top of the kiln-chambersare suitably spaced supporting ribs 23 for carrying the The rear face orend of the inclosing walls of the kiln-chambers has formed therein asuitable depression 24 (Fig. 9), forthe reception of suitable sealingplastic material, such as asbestos cement, and the forward or closed endwall of each kiln-section has a corresponding rib or projection 25; forentering the plastic material in the depression 24 when thekilnchambers; are butted together and coupled, into the train, thusforming a male. and fe' male joint. A

Located atthe initial end of the tunnel 1 is a suitablesuction draftapparatus, here shown as a suction fan 26, which 'is connected by asuitable duct 27 with a hood 28 of such shape and size as to cause itsperiph-v after described. The suction fan discharges whichextends acrosstheret end) of the forward kiln-chamber inthe train at the exit end ofthe tunnel. This hood 32, is of such size and shape as to; cover thefines-19 leading into the combustion chambers 11, so that the air forcedin by the fan 30 enters the kiln-chambers through the flues 19 and thecombustion chambers 11, as will be read ily understood.

The tunnel 1 is provided at or near its initial end with a draft outlet,here shown as a stack 33 (Fig. 3), and is provided at its initial endwith a vertically adjustable gate or closure 34,.preferablycounterbalanced by a weight 35, and the rear or exit end of the tunnelis provided with a like closure or f the tunnel gate 36 andcounterbalancing weight 37.

When these gates are in their raisedposition, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4,they permit the passage of the kilns with the bricks on top thereof, andwhen the kilns have entered the tunnel, they are lowered and rest uponthe upper surface of the kiln-chambers to close the ends of the tunnel,as will be readily understood. The s ace between the sides and bottom ofthkllIl-Chflill'lhBIS and,

-ble shields-3r (Fig. 7 I

Referring to Fig. 1, 38 is a transfer track extending at right angles tothe direction of the tunnel and adjacent to the initial end thereof and,on a plane below that of the track of the tunnel, as clearly shown inFig. 2, and 39 is a like transfer track extending transversely to thetunnel and on a .plane below that of the track in the tunnel, While 40is a track preferably on the same horizon t-al plane as the track in thetunnel, and parallel therewith, the tracks 38 and 39 extending pastthe-ends of the track 2 and the track 40. Upon the tracks 38 and 39 aresuitable transfer trucks 41, having short tracks or rails 42 extendingtransversely across the trucks, which tracks or rails are so spaced asto exactly re ter with and form extensions of the rails o the tracks 2and 40, so that when anagram the trucks are placed in a positionopposite of vertically the tunnel, a kiln-chamber resting upon the vwhich may e rails can be advanced oil of the truck into the tunnel orout of the tunnel onto the.

truck, as the case may be, and likewise, the kilns may be readilytransferred from or onto the track 40. Any suitable means may beemployed for transferring the trucks from the point opposite the ends ofthe track 2- to the point opposite the ends of the track 40.

For the purpose of coupling the several kiln-chambers together into a'continuous train when the closed end of one kiln-chamber abuts the openend of the next kilnchamber in the train, any suitable coupling meansmay be provided. Preferably, a coupling which will act to draw thesections closely together and force the tongue or male member into thefemale member 24, is employed. As here shown, -such coupling deviceconsists of an eccentrically mounted hook 43 provided with a lever arm44 on one of the kiln-chambers, which hook engages a pivoted link 45mounted on the adjacent kiln-chamber (see Fig. 10}. Any other suitablecoupling means, however, may be employed.

Preferably, the wet bricks are mounted in unit groups 46, 4:6, upon thesupporting ribs or rails 23, and as here shown, there are two of suchunit-groups 46, which two groups together constitute a complete chargefor the interior of a kiln-chamber. These unitgroups may be originallystacked or con stituted as such upon the tops of the kilnchambers, butpreferably the wetbricks are stacked in unit-groups of the desired sizeat a suitable station, and are then trans 'ferred as unit-groups fromsuch station to their position on top of the kiln-chambers. lhis has theadvantage that the hot kilnchamber does not have to remain out of thetunnel during the time that would be re- 1 quired to stack theunit-groups on the top thereof.

The unit-groups of bricks, when the same have been dried, are--transferred as-unitgroups from the top ot a kiln-chamber to the interiorof a kiln-chamber, and preferably to the interior. of the same chamberupon which they were dried,'and when the bricks are burned, they arepreferably removed from the kiln-chamber as unitgroups, and depositedfor storage or in a wagon or other suitable carrier for removal.

For the purpose of handling the bricks in unit-groups as abovedescribed, suitable means are provided for lifting the unitgroups ofbricks on to and oil of the supports on top of the kiln-chambers, andfor insertingthe unit-groups as units within, and removing themfronnthekiln-chambers For this purpose, there is provided a series i 1 Ii adjustable horizontal arms, inserted between the rails or ribs 23 ontop of the kiln-chambers for placing the bricks in position upon theribs 23, and when the weight of the bricks is received by said ribs, thehorizontal arms are slightly lowered and then withdrawn horizontally.Likewise, when the bricks are to be removed from the kiln-chambers, thehorizontal arms are inserted in the openings or spaces between the ribs23, and are then raised or adjusted vertically so as to lift the unitgroup of bricks, as a whole. In the same way, the bricks are placedwithin the kiln-chambers by extending the horizontal arms into the openend of the kiln-chambers between the ribs 17 for supporting the. brickstherein, and are then slightly lowered and withdrawn horizontally, thereverse of thisznovement serving to remove the bricks from thekiln-chamber. Any suitable means for 'eiiecting this function may heemployed. As herein shown, there is arranged at the initial end or thetunnel l a suitableoverhead or elevated track e7 (Figs. 2 and 8), onwhich travels a truck 48, from which depends a chain or cable 49. Aseries of horizontally extending fingers or arms so spaced as to permitthe said fingersor arms to enter between the ribs 23 on top of thekiln-chambers or the supporting ribs 17 within the kiln-chambers, areconnected by suitable upright members 51 to an overhead horizontallyextending member or members 52, the overhead members 52 and the lowerarms 50 being preferably extended at approximately right-angles to theupright members 51. The whole isunited intoa kind of-l'or'k,

by means of a, suitable connecting member 5.3, or otherwise, at the top,so as to form a rigid carrying device or structure, and mounted on thetop thereof is a Windlass 54, around which chain 49 extends, whichwindlass is secured to a shaft 55, which in turn carries asprocket-wheel 56,. over which extends an endless chain 57, which alsopasses around a lower sprocket-wheel 58, operated by a crank-handle 59.By operating the crank-handle 59, the chain 49 can be wound upon theWindlass 54c or unwound therefrom to raise o r-lower the forked carrier,which is capable of being turned in a horizontal plane around thechain49 as c support, a suitable lever or handle being provided for thispurpose, or this iork or lifting device may be attached to an overheadconventional crane.

Referring .to Fig. 2, the forked carrier can be elevated into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, so as to extend "forked arms59 under the pile of dried bricks 81 on top of the kiln-chamber, and hitthem the e ern as a unit-grounatter the truck is run rearward the 1position shown in full lines in Fig; 2, and the fork is then loweredinto the position shown in said full lines, when the truck 48 may beagain advanced, thereby running the unit-group of dried bricks 61 intothe kilnchamber 8 when, the forks being slightly lowered with the arms50 in the spaces between the ribs or supports within the kilnchamber,the unit-group of bricks comes to rest upon said ribs and the truck 4C8being moved rearward, the fork is withdrawn and the second unit-group ofbricks is then placed within the kiln in the same manner.-

It will be readily understood that instead of the horizontal fork 51being advanced into and withdrawn from the kiln-chamber, the fork withits load of bricks might be permitted to remain stationary, and thekiln-chamber advanced to and from the fork carrying the bricks, theresult in either event being the same, viz., that the unitgroup ofbricks would be placed within the kiln-chamber, and such a method ofoperation would, therefore, be the equiyalent of that in which the forkis advanced into the chamber and "withdrawn therefrom as abovedescribed.

Operation: In operation, any suitable or desired number of kiln-chambersmay be employed to form a train extending through the inclosed tunnel.As ordinarily employed, I prefer to make up a train of say twenty fouror more kiln-chambers, the inclosing tunnel being of such a length as toreceive a train of this length, less one or more chambers which mayproject out from each end of the tunnel. The kiln-chambers, with driedbricks therein and wet bricks thereon, are advanced one at a time off ofthe trucks 4E1 onto the track 2 at the initial end of the tunnel, andthe kiln-chambers coupled together as described, the sealing of thejoints being secured by the coaction of the male and female memberswithout the necessity of any particular labor or attention in connectiontherewith. A sutlicient number of these kiln-chambers are thus connectedtogether one at a time and advanced into the tunnel until the forwardkiln-chamber has reached the first fuel supply nozzle or means at thefuel supply station '3, when it is connected by such nozzle to thesupply conduit, so that the fuel therefrom is permitted to enter thedistributing duct or passage 5, and from thence supplied to thecombustionchambeg 11 through the ports 12. The train remains at rest fora suitable period of time, which it find to be approximately from 30minutes to one hour, according to the nature of the clay, after whichthe fuel nozzle is disconnected from the forward kiln, an additional.kiln is attached to the rear end of the train at the initial end of thetunnei, and the entire train advanced so to bring the forward kilnopposite the secroeaoao nd fuel supply nozzle, when it and thekilnchamber immediately to the rear thereof are connected to the secondand first nozzles respectively, and the train remains at rest,

1161 the burning in the two forward chambers proceeds simultaneously.After a proper time, the train is again advanced the length of onekiln-chamber, another kilnchamber is added to the rear, and the forwardthree kiln-chambers are then connected to the three fuel supply nozzles,and the burning operation repeated. At the expiration of this burningoperation, the forward kiln-chamber will have the bricks thereincompletely burned. The train is then advanced the length of onekiln-chamber, and the three kiln-chambers opposite the combustionstation are connected with the fuel supply nozzles and the burninoperation repeated. This is continued until there is a train ofkiln-chambers extending entirely through the tunnel, so that when thetrain is advanced the length of one kiln-chamber, there is one kilnpushed from the exit end of the tunnel, and another one added at theinitial end thereof.

Each of the kiln-chambers enters the tunnel preferably with unit-groupsof wet.

bricks on top thereof, and the fines or air outlets 20 are closed by theclosures or covers 21, and the suction fan 26 is in operation so as tocause a. suction draft from the fuel supply station'rearward through thekilnchambers. This causes the gases of combustion as they pass out ofthe combustion chambers to extend into the space at the crown of thekiln-chamber and to descend uniformly downward through the spacesbetween the dried bricks within the kiln-chamber. and, when the flue 15is employed, also causes gases of combustion topass through the fines13. i and 16, and also out through the lower opening to the spacebeneath the bricks. The gases whether passing to the crown at the top ortaking any other course, by this means are uniformly distributedthroughout the kiln-chamber, so that all the bricks therein aresubjected to a uniform burning action. After passing downward around andbetween the bricks, the hot products of combustion pass through thetines 12 at the bottom of the kiln-chamber, and enter the combustionchamber 11 of the next kiln-chamber in the rear, and so on throughoutthe length of the train, until they reach the hood 28, where they aredrawn off by the suction draft. It will thus be perceived that thebricks upon the top of the kiln-chambers are effectively shielded fromthe action of the products of combustion, which latter come only incontact with the dried bricks within. the kiln'chambers.

After the kiln-chambers one by one have passed the final fuel supplynozzle at the combustion station 3, the fines are uncovered .or opened,and the forced draft from the fan 30 forces a cooling draft of airtlnvough the spaces between the hot bricks, serving to cool the same,the air in turn becoming heated as the result of the heat absorbed fromthe bricks, after which the greater \portion .of it passes outwardthrough the air outlets or fines 20 into the exterior space of thetunnel, and through the unit-groups of bricks on top of thekilnchambers. The kiln-chambers are thus advanced step by step throughthe tunnel, and when the foremost kiln-chambers, say the forward two,approach the exit end of the tunnel, the air outlet fiues' 20 arepreferably again closed, thus preventing the cold air which has onlypassed through the kilnchambers containing bricks that are almost cooledfrom coming in contact with the dry bricks on top of the kiln-chambers.These dry bricks on top of the kiln-chamber at this point are quite hot,and it is desirable to retain some .of the heat in the bricks until theyare placed within the hotkiln-chamber. and it also is desirable to bringthis air to a higher temperature by passing same through chambers of ahigher temperature before allowing such air to enter the drying chamber,as hereinafter described.

During the process of combination, not only the bricks within thekiln-chambers become highly heated and burned, but the side, top andbottom walls of the kiln-chambers themselves become highly heated andradiate a very considerable amount of heat. from their exteriorsurfaces. which is recovered and utilized for heating up the dryingchamber or the tunnel exterior to the kiln-chamber, and this heat,iii-connection with thea-ir driven in by the forced draft over the hotbricks and through the air outlets 20 into the tunnel, serves toeffectively dry the bricks which were wet at the initial end of thetunnel. and this air. with the its exit from the tunnel. the bricks ontopthereof are dry but not cold. The bricks w1th1n the kiln-chamber areburned and comparatively cool, and the kiln-chamber itself,

by reason of its thick walls, is yet quite hot.

This kiln-chamber is run upon the truck 4-1 at the exit end of thetunnel and shifted onto the track L0, and thence onto the truck all onthe track 48. The burned bricks may be taken from the kiln-chamber atany suitable point, but preferably they are removed thereirom at thepoint where the kiln-chani- 1 her passes from the track e0 to the truckon the track 4.8, by means of the lifting fork or 3 ngers 50, anddeposited in a wagon or other 7. iii-table carrier. rne hot .drieobricks on op of the kiln-chamber are then removed 1 chamber, and wetbricks, preferably in unitgroups, are placed on top of the kiln-chamher;the latter is then advanced to the initial end of the tunnel. attachedto the train, and reinserted into the tunnel while the kilnchamber andthe bricks therein still retain a very considerable aIn-oimt of heat.

As the kilnechambers pass from the initial end of ,the tunnel for-wardtherethrough to the exit end of the tunnel, the bricks are passed firstthrough a heating up zone, the heat being derived from the products ofcombustion drawn rearward through the train. and by the time they arriveat the burning station, vthey are highly heated, and thus the timeconsumed in the burning function itself is shorter than would be thecase if the bricks reached this station in a cold condition.- The bricksare then passed through the burning zone. and after being burned. theyare then passed forward through that portion of the tunnel extendingfrom the burning station to the exit erid thereof, which portionconstitutes a cooling zone. the bricks being cooled the forced draft ofcold air entering at the forward end of the train. Simultaneously withthis passing of the bricks within the kilnchambers, through a heatingup, a burning and a cooling zone, the wet bricks on top of thekilnchamber are passed rearward through the tunnel in a dryingatmosphere derived from the waste heat radiated'from the kiln-chambersconstituting the train and that radiated from the burned bricks andabsorbed by the column of cooling air under pressure. And during allthis time. the bricks on top of the kilnchambers have been effectivelyshielded from the products of combustion. Moreover, by passing thebricks to be dried through a gradually increasing temperature and thenthrough a gradually decreasing temperature. it is possible to raise thedrying bricks to a very high temperature, and still have the bricks atthe time when they make their exit from the tunnel sufficiently cool sothat contact with the external atmosphere will not injuriously affectthe same. \Yithout the gradually dey creasing temperature step..it wouldnot be y practicable to employ so high, and hence so efi'ective. adrying ten'iperature as l am enabled to utilize. This is a matter ofmuch importance in the practical operation of the system.

It will be noted that the opening in each kiln-chamber through whichbricks are inserted and removed from such chamber. is closed in formingthe train without the employment-"of any material other than thatforming a part of the kiln-chamber itself, 1 or without any additionallabor other than that incident to coupling the kiln-chambers together.Furthern'iore, after the bricks l havebeenbursdd the kiln-chamber isopened for the removal of the bricks by simply detaching thekiln-chamber from the train. The importance of this lies in the factthat the labor and material heretofore necessarily incident to closing akiln-chamber of a series for burning: and in opening the same to removethe burned bricks, are entirely eliminated. Moreover, this is allaccomplished in such a manner that any possible leakage of cold air intothe-'kiln-chamber through the joint must necessarily be drawn throughthe combustion-chamber" and be heated by the products of combustionbefore coming in direct contact with'the bricks, thus avoiding theinjurious effect that the cold air Would have if it came in contact withthe highly heated bricks.

What is claimed is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, thecombination of a tunnel, a train of separable independent kiln-chambersmovable through said tunnel, combustion chambers in said kiln-chambers,a fuel supply station intermediate the ends of said train, and means atsaid station for supplying fuel in turn to said combustion chamhers.

2. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination of amovable train of separable independent kiln chambers, fines connectingsaid kiln-chambers, combustion chambers in said kiln-chambers, a fuelsupply station intermediate the ends of said train, and means atsaid'station for supplying fuel in turn, to said combustion chambers.

3/111 an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of movablekiln-chambers open at one end and having a walllclosing the other end,means uniting said kilnchambers into a train With the open end of onekiln-chamber abutting the closed end of the next adjacentkilnchambentlues connecting said kiln chambers, a fuel supplystation'intermediate the ends of said train, and means at said stationfor supplying fuel in turn to said kiln-chambers.

4r. in an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of amovable train of separable independent kiln-chambers,

fines connecting said kiln-chambers, cornbustion chambers in saidkiln-chambers, a fuel station intermediate With the ends of said train,means at said station for sup plying fuel to said combustion chambers,

and means creating an artificial draft con nected to one end of saidtrain,

5. in an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination 'ofmovable train of separable independent kiln-chambers, tines connectingsaid lriln chambers, combustion chambers in saidflriln-chambers, a fuelsup ply station rmediate with the ends of l ttion for supjet/ e intenseand means creating an artificial draft con- "nected to each end of saidtrain.

i said train, and means for supplying fuel in turn to said combustionchambers.

7. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a plurality of movablekiln-chambers open at one end and having a Wall closing the other end, aflash. Wall adjacent said end Wall and together therewith farming acombustion chamber, a due extending through each end Wall into saidcombustion chamber, means uniting said kiln-chambers into a train withthe open end of one kiln-chamber abutting the closed end of the nextadjacent kiln-chamber, and means supplying fuel to said combustionchambers.

8. in an apparatus of the character described, a tunnel, a train ofindependent kiln-chambers movable through said tunnel, flues connectingsaid kiln-chambers, combustion chambers in said kiln-chambers, meanssupplying fuel to said combustion chambers, openings through the Wallsof said kilnchambers into said tunnel, means for closing saidf'ppenings,a suction draft con .nected toone end of said train, and a forced draftconnected to the other end of the train.

9. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a train of movableindependent kiln-chambers connected by dues and having combustionchambers therein, means supplying :fu'el to said combustion chambers, asuction draft connected to one end of said train, and a forced draftconnected to the other end of the train.

10.. lln an apparatus of the character described a train of movableindependent kilnchambers connected by dues and having combustionchambers therein, means at a central station supplying fuel to saidcombastion chambers, a suction draft connected to one end of said train,and a forced draft connected to the other end of the train. 11. in anapparatus of the character described, a movable kiln-chamber open at oneend and having an end Wall closing the other end with a linetherethrough, a truck supporting said kilnehainber, a combustion chamberWithin said kiiircliamber, a tlue or air outlet in the top of saidkiln-chainher, and means for supporting bricks to be burned Within saidkill chamber, means for supporting bricks to es on the top of saidkiln-chamben in an apparatus the character do scribed, a tunnel, a trainof independent kiln-chambers having ainoutlet openings and movablethrough said tunnel, means on and exterior to said kilnchambers forsupporting bricks to be dried, and means forcing air through saidkiln-chambers and through the air outlets therein, whereby the bricksare dried.

13. in an apparatus of the character described, a tunneha trainofindependent kilnchambers movable through said tunnel, conibustionchambers in said kiln-chambers, flues connecting the kiln-chambers inthe train, means on and exterior to said kiln-chambers for supportingbricks to be dried, air-outlet openings in said kilncha1nbers, acombustion station. means closing said air-outlet openings in the trainto the rear of said combustion station. and means forcing air into oneend of said train and out through the unclosed air-outlet openings intothe tunnel, whereby the bricks on the kiln-chambers are dried Whileshielded from the products of combustion.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, a closed tunnel, meanssimultaneously passing dried bricks and wet bricks through said tunnel,means'for burning the dried bricks during said passage, means shieldingthe wet bricks from the products of combustion, and means forcing airover the burned bricks to cool the same and then over the wet bricks todry them.

15. In an apparatus for burning, cooling and handling bricks, thecombination of a series of movable and separable kiln-chamhers, eachhaving an opening in one end and provided with refractory floors havinglongitudinal tlues separated by ribs, and a lifting device for thebricks in said kilnchambers comprising a series of lifting tingcrsadapted to be inserted in the fines for lifting the bricks horizontallyin and out through the opening in the end of the kilnchambers.

16. in an apparatus of the character described, a kiln-chamber open atone end and having a series of longitudinal ribs and intermediate fiuesor spaces. and a lifting device provided with a series of liftingiingers adapted to be inserted in the Flues or spaces for lifting a unitof bricks into or out through the opening in the end of thekiln-chamber. said kiln-chamber being adapted to be associated withanother kiln-chamber to form a complete burning inclosure.

17. in an apparatus of the character described, a kiln-chamber havingopening one end and deflecting walls within kiln'chainber. a floor govided with and intermediate fines 0 paces, a ing device provided with aseries 7 33ers adapted to be it ed in the z the kiln-chamber through theopening in one end thereof.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, a crown kiln-chamberhaving a series of ribs and intermediate fines or spaces and an opening,and a, lifting device c0ln prising a series of lifting members, ahorizontal arm spaced from the lifting members sufficiently to pass overthe crown of the kiln-chamber when loading or unloading the bricks fromsaid kiln-chamber, and means for raising, lowering and manipulating saidlifting device for loading and unloading the bricks horizontally fromsaid kiln-chamber.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of movablekiln-chambers separably connected together and each having a deflectingwall and an opening, and a series of longitudinal ribs and intermediatespaces, a lifting device for the bricks in said kiln-chambers comprisinga series of lifting members adapted to be inserted in the spaces betweenthe ribs underneath the bricks, and means for moving said lifting devicein and out through the opening.

20. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a series of crownkiln-chambers, each open at one end and providedqvith a deflecting walltherein, said kiln-chambers each having longitudinal brick-supportingribs and intermediate spaces forming tlues. and a lifting devicecomprising a series of lifting fingers adapted to be inserted hori-Zontally under the bricks supported upon the ribs for moving said bricksinto and out of the kiln-chambers.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, ./'a series of separablekiln-chambers, each provided with a'fiash wall, and apparatus forhandling the bricks inunit groups, said apparatus comprising liftingmembers adapted to be inserted horizontally into the kiln-chambers, andmeans for operating said lifting members.

22. in an apparatus of the character de scribed, a series of movablekiln-chambers separably connected together, each of said kiln-chambersbeing provided with a defleeting Wall spaced fromone end thereof to forma combustion chamber between the end of the kiln-chamber and said wall,the lower part of each of said kiln-chambers being provided with ribsintermediate space. and a lifting device provided with lifting membersadapted to be inserted in 21g the bricks bodily said spaces for liftiinto and out of said 3 tally.

in scribed. a series ing an open end a sing provided iv. necting saidwell be of the kiln-chamber a sutticient distance to separably connectedtogether and each having an open end, a closed end and a deflecting wallspaced from the closed end to form a combustion chamber, longitudinallyspaced ribs or brick supports in the lower part of said kiln-chambers,the spaces between the ribs forming ducts, means for in troducing fuelinto the combustion chamber and apparatus for handling the bricks inunits into and out through the opening in the ends of the movablekiln-chambers 25. An apparatus for burning and cooling bricks comprisinga series of movable and separable intercommunicable kiln-chambers, meansfor introducing fuel into said kilnchambers, and for repeatedlydeflecting the draft in an upward and downward course through the saidkiln-chambers.

26. In an apparatus of the character de-- scribed, a series of movableand separable kiln-chambers connected together to form a continuoustrain, each kiln-chamber having an open and a closed end provided withdraft openings, a deflecting Wall in each of said kiln-chambers, saidwall being spaced from the closed end to form a combustion chamber, ribsor brick supports in the lower part of each of said kiln-chambers, saidribs being spaced apart to "form heat ducts, in combination with alifting device, and means for operating the same, said ducts permittingthe insertion of the lifting device.

27; in an apparatus for burnin and cooling bricks, a series of movablean separable kiln-chambers designed to be passed progressively through aheating up, burning and cooling zone, each of said kiln-chambers beingprovided with an open end and a closed end having a draft openingtherein, and a flash wall within each kiln-chamber spaced irom the endof the kiln-chamber to provide a combustion chamber between them.

28. in an apparatus for burning and cooling bricks, a series of movableand separable inclosed kiln-chambers, each of said kilnchambers beingprovided with an open end and a closed end having a draft openingherein, a flash wall within each kiln-chamb' r to provide a combustion.chamber, and

means for introducing fuel into said cornbustion chamber. I

29. in an apparatus for drying, burnin and cooling bricks, a series oitmovable an separable open ended kiln-chambers for containing bricks tobe burned and cooled, means for supporting bricks to be dried upon thetops of said kiln-chambers, an inclosure for said bricks to be dried,and means for introducing fuel into some of said kiln-chambers.

30. in an apparatus for burning and cooling bricks, a series of movableand separable kiln-chambers adapted to be passed progressively through atunnel, each of said kilnchambers being provided with an open end and aclosed end having a draft opening therein, a flash wall within eachkiln-chamber spaced from the end of the kiln-chamber to provide acombustion chamber between them, and apparatus for handling the bricksin unit groups, said apparatiis adapted to be moved in and out throughthe open end of the kiln-chamber-.

31. in an apparatus for drying, burnin and cooling bricks,a-series ctmovable an separable open ended kiln-chambers for containing bricks tobe burned and cooled. means forsupport-ing bricks to be burned andcooled,, 1neans for supporting bricks to be dried--. upon the topsofsaid kiln chambers, an inclosure for said bricks to be dried, means forintroducing fuel into some o lisaid kiln-chambers, and apparatus forhandling the bricks in unit groups, said ap parat-us comprising alifting device. for mov" ing the bricks horizontally into and out ofsaid kiln-chambers.

32. In an apparatus for burning, cooling and handlingbricks, a series ofmovable and separable inclosed kiln-chambers each oi said kiln-chambershaving an open end and a closed end provided with a draft opening, eachof said kiln-chambers being provided with longitudinal ribs upon thefloor line ,thereof said ribs being spaced apart to form channels forheat ducts, and means for handling the bricks in unit groups comprisinga litter having a series of lifting fingers adapted to be inserted insaid channels for supporting the bricks bodily and for lifting themhorizontally out and into said kilnchambers.

33. In an apparatus for drying, burning, cooling and handling bricks, aseries of movable and separable open ended kiln-chain bers adapted to bepassed progressively through a tunnel spaced from the top of saidkiln-chambers to provide a drying chamber, means for supporting bricksto be dried upon said kiln-chambers and means for transferring andhandling the bricks in unit groups.

34. An apparatus for burning and cooling nose can 11 bricks, comprisinga series, the units of which are movable and independent separablekiln-chambers, each having one open end, means for introducing fuel intosaid kiln-chambers in turn, and'means in each kiln-chamber fordeflecting the body of the draft.

35. An apparatus for burning, cooling and drying bricks comprising aseries of movable and separable open ended kilnchambers, means forrepeatedly deflecting draft through the bricks in said kiln-chambers,and means for drying bricks above said kiln-chambers.

36. An apparatus for burning, cooling and drying bricks comprising aseries of movable and separable open ended kilnchambers inclosed Withina tunnel spaced from said kiln-chambers to provide a drying chamber,means for repeatedly deflecting the draft through the bricks, means fordrying bricks ab vs the kiln-chambers, and means for handling andtransferring the bricks in unit. groups.

3?. An apparatus for burning and cooling bricks comprising a series ofmovable and separable kiln-chambers each provided with an open end and aclosed end having a draft opening, a deflecting Wall in each of saidkiln-chambers, means -for introducing fuel into said kiln-chambers, andmeans for handling the bricks in unit groups, said means comprisinglifting members adapted to be inserted into and Withdrawn from the openends of the kiln-chambers.

38. An apparatus for burning and cooling bricks comprising a series ofindependent open ended connected intercommunicable and separablekiln-chambers, each provided with a deflecting wall therein.

39. An apparatus for drying, burning and cooling bricks comprising aseries of open ended connected intercommunicable and separablekiln-cliambers,each provided with a deflecting wall therein, and meansfor drying bricks upon the tops of said kilnchambers.

40. An apparatus for drying, burning and cooling bricks comprising aseries of connected intercommunicable and separable open endedkiln-chambers, each provided with a deflecting Wall therein, and meansfor drying bricks upon the tops of said kiln-chambers, saidkiln-chambers adapted to be passed through an inclosing tunnel spacedfrom the kiln-chambers to provide a drying chamber.

il. An apparatus forburningcoolingand drying bricks comprising a seriesof intercommunicable and searable kiln-chambers. a tunnel through whichsaid kiln-chambers are adapted to be passed, said tunnel being spacedfrom the tops of said kiln-chambers tg'provide a drying chamber, each ofsaid kiln-chambers being provided with an open end and a closed endprovided "with draft opening, deflecting Walls in each oft saidkiln-chambers, means for introducing fuel into said kiln-chambers, eachof said kilnchambers having ribs and intermediate spaces forming finesin the floor line of said kiln-chambers.

42. An apparatus :t or burning, cooling and drying bricks comprising aseries of interconimunicable and separable crown kilnchambers, a tunnelthrough which said kilnchambers are adapted to be passed, said tunnelbeing spaced from the tops of said kiln-chambers to provide a dryingchamber, each of said kiln'chambers being provided with an open end anda closed end provided with a draft opening,,defiecting Walls in each ofsaid kiln-chambers, means for introducing fuel into said kiln-chambers,each of said kiln-chambers having ribs and intermediate spaces formingfines in the floor line of said kiln-chambers, and means for lifting andtransferring the bricks.

43. An apparatus for burning, cooling and drying bricks simultaneouslycomprising apparatus for carrying bricks through a heating up andcoolingzone, means for sup porting bricks on the top of said apparatus fordrying said bricks, and a tunnel inclosing said apparatus and spacedtherefrom to provide a drying chamber.

drying bricks comprising a series of movable and separable open endedkiln-chambers inclosed Withina tunnel spaced from said kiln-chambers toprovide a drying chamber, means for repeatedly deflecting the draftthrough the bricks, means for drying bricks above the kiln-chambers andmeans for handling the bricks in unit groups as. An apparatus fordrying, burning and cooling bricks comprising a series of connectedinter-communicable and separable kiln-chambers, each provided With anopen end and means for drying bricks aipon the tops of saidkiln-chambers, said kiln-chambers adapted to be passed through aninclosing tunnel spaced from the kiln-chambers to provide a dryingchamber.

46. In an apparatus for drying, burning and cooling bricks, a pluralityof separate. movable kiln-chambers, means, for supporting wet bricks onthe tops of the chambers, means for supporting dried bricks Within thechambers, means for connecting the chambers into a train, a tunnelthrough which said train is passed, means creating a heating up, aburning and a cooling zone Within the train, and means creating aheatin! up and drying atmosphere Within the tuilnel exterior to thetrain, whereby the dried bricks are burned within the train and 44. Anapparatus forburningcooling and I the Wet bricks are dried exterior tothe train. I

47. In an apparatus for drying, burning and cooling bricks, a pluralityof separable, I

movable kiln-chambers, means for supporting Wet bricks in the exteriorof said chamhers, means for supporting dried bricks within the chambers,means connecting the chambers into a train, a tunnel through which saidtrain is passed, means creating a heating up, a burning and a coolingzone within the train, fiues leading through the.

walls of the chambers into the tunnel, and means for closing said fiueswhile the bricks therein are passing through the heating up and burningzones, and opening said flues when the bricks therein are passed throughthe cooling zone, whereby the dried bricks are burned and the Wet bricksare dried by the radiant heat from the chambers when the bricks areWithin the heating and burn ing zones, and the direct heat from theburnt bricks in the cooling zone.

48. In an apparatus for burning and cooling bricks, a series ofindependent, separable kiln-chambers? on wheels, means for creatingWithin said series of chambers heating up, a burning and a cooling zone,flues connecting the chambers, and means for introducing fuel into anddistributing the same in said chambers.

-19. In an apparatus for burning and cooling bricks, a tunnel, aplurality of independent, separable kiln-chambers on wheels, means torconnecting said chambers into a train to be passed through said tunnel,and means for creating a heating up, a burning and a coolingzone'\vithin said train, flues between the chambers constituting thetrain. and means for introducing fuel into one or moreot' saidchan'ibers intermediate the ends of the train.

50. in an apparatus for burning and cook ing bricks, a tunnel, apluralit ot independent, separable kiln-chambers on wheels, meansconnecting said chambers into a train to be passeihthrough said tunnel.means creating a heating up zone, a burning zone and a cooling zonewithin said train. tines connecting the chambers oi the train. means torintroducing fuel into and distributing the same in one or more chambersintermediate the ends oi the train, and means tor producing a suction.draft through said chambers.

51. in an a; aratus tor burning and cooling bricks, a tunnel, aplurality of independent hie kiln-chan'ibcrs on wheels, means cochambers into a train to be p t, rough said tunnel means creatn'ig a hating up zone, a hurniu zone and a cool cone within sale. tr tines g ihambeis ot the train. means for introduclin fuel. into one or more chantr 2 J r.

hers intermediate the ends or the train means I07. producing a suction(ilzlt easeee through said chambers at the rear end of the train, andmeans for producing'a :t'orced draft at the forward end of the train.

52. In an apparatus for drying, burning 5 and cooling bricks, aplurality of separable. movable kiln-chambers, means for connecting thechambers into a train. means for supporting wet bricks on top of thechambers, means for supporting dried bricks .within the chambers, meanscreating a heating up, a burning and a cooling zone in the chambers, andmeans directing the waste heat among the bricks on top 01 the chambers,whereby the dried bricks are burned and the Wet bricks are dried by thewaste heat from the binning operation.

53. A plurality of movable kiln-chambers open at one end and closed atthe other end except for lines, means connecting the chambers into atrain with the closed end of one chamber abutting the open end of thenext chamber in the series, and means creating a heating up, a burningand a cooling Zone within the train of chambers.

In an apparatus of the character described, a train of separablekiln-chambers with flues connectingsaid chambers, means supplying fuelto andjdistributing said sup ply in one or more chambers in the train.intermediate the ends f oit the train, and means for causing a draftthrbugh the train to cool. i the burned brick, to support the combustionof the fuel, and to direct the products of conibustion among the bricksfor heating up the same.

55. Inan apparatus for burning bricks, a plurality 'bt'independent,movable, connectible kiln-chambers, means cbnnecting saidchambers into a train, means for introducing fuel into the train, andmeans for causing a continuous up and down drat't through the severalchambers in the train,

56. In an apparatus for burning bricks, a plurality of movable,separable kiln-chain bers, a combustion chamber in each kilnchamber,means uniting said kiln-chambers into a train with the joints of unionimmediately in trout of each kiln-chamber, mvans directing a draftrearward through said train whereby any leakage at the joints of unionis directed, through a combustion chamber before coming in contact withthe i bricks in the chambers.

5?. in an apparatus for burning bricks, a plurality oi separable movablekiln-chant ibers, means for connecting the chambers into a train,combustion chambers in the kiln chambers, ztuel-distributing ducts incommunicat-ion with each combustion chamber, and m e :tor supplying tuelto said t'uel-di tributing ducts.

. in apparatus of the character de- 4 scribed, the combination of aseries of closed kiln-chambers separably united into a train,

. nues connecting the said chambers whereby nesaoao a draft may beestablished through the train, a source of heat, and means uniformlydistributing the heat throughout the charge of bricks contained in thekiln-chambers.

59. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aseries of closed kiln-chambers separably united into a train, tiuesconnecting the several chambers of the train whereby a draft maybemaiutained through said several chambers, means supplying heatedproducts of combustion to a chamber intermediate the ends of the train,meansdistributing the heated products of combustion uniformly throughoutthe charge ofbricks contained in a plurality of chambers of said trainwhereby the bricks are burned, supports for charges of bricks carriedupon the exteriors of said kilnchambers, and means directing a currentof air first over the hot burned bricks and then over said bricksexterior to the chambers.

60. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of closedkiln-chambers separately united into a train, lines connect.- ing saidchambers whereby a draft can be directed through a plurality of chambersin the train, means supplying heated products of combustion to a chamberintermediate the ends of the train, means distributing said heatedproducts of combustion uniformly throughout the charge of bricks in saidkilnchamber whereby the bricks are burned, and like means uniformlydistributing said heated products of combustion throughout the chargesof'bricks in the kiln-chambers intermediate said burning kiln and oneend of the train whereby the bricks are heated up 4 before burning, andmeans passing an air current over the burned bricks whereby the same arecooled.

81. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of closedkiln-chambers separably united into a train, fines connecting saidkiln-chambers whereby a draft may-be directed through the severalchambers in the train, means for burning fuel in one, of thekiln-chambers intermediate the ends ofthe train, means directing heatedroducts of combustion uniformly through tl ie charge of bricks in saidchamber, and then uniformly throughout the charges of bricks in theseveral kiln-chambers between said point of combustion and one end ofthe train whereby bricks are first heated up and then burned,

means supporting charges of bricks to be dried upon the exterior of thekiln-chambers in the train, means directing a current of cooling airover the burned bricks whereby the bricks are cooled and said air isheated, and means directing said heated air over the charges of bricksto be dried on the exterior of said kiln-chambers.

62. In an apparatus of the character described, a kiln-chamber having anopening for the insertion and removal of bricks, and

means carried by an adjoining kiln-chamber for closing said opening.

63. In an apparatus of the character described, a series. of movableconnected separable intercommunicating kilnschambers each having an openend and a detachable wall closing said end opening.

64. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of connectedseparable kilnchambers each having'aii open end for the an adjoiningkilmchamber, whereby each kiln-chamber is opened at one end when theseries of chambers are "separated.

66. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of connectedseparable closed kiln-chambers each connected to its adjoining chamberssuitable dues and each havingjuel-supply openings, and each chambercarrying one. end closure for an adjoining kiln-chainber, whereby eachchamher is opened at one end when it is separated from the series ofchambers.

67. In an apparatus of the character described, a tunnel, a train ofseparable independent kiln-chambers movable through said tunnel,fuel-distributing flues in saidchambers, a fuel-supply'statio'nintermediate'the ends of said train, and means at said station forsupplying fuel in turn to said fuel-distributing flues.

68. In anapparatus of thecharacter described, a tunnel, a train ofseparableindependent kiln-chambers movable through said tunnel,combustion chambers in said kilnchambers, fuel-supply fiuescommunicating with said combustion chambers, a fuel-supply stationintermediate the ends of 'said train, and means at said station forsupplying fuel in turn tosaid distributing fines.

69. In an apparatus of the character described, a movable train ofseparable inde pendent kiln-chambers flues connecting saidkiln-chambers, combustion chambers in said kiln-chambers,fuel-distributing flues communicating with said combustion chambers,

a fuel supply station intermediate the ends of the train,-and means atsaid station for supplying fuel in turn to said distributing fiues.

70. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of movablekiln-chambers each open at one end and having a wall closing the otherend, a fuel distributing flue, a dash wall adjacent said end wall andtogether therewith forming a combustion chamber, a fine extendingthrough each end end of the next adjacent, and means suppl v- 9 ing fuelto said fuel distributing fine.

71. In an apparatus of the character described, a kiln-chamber providedwith an opening in one end thereof, a floor having ribs separated byintervening spaces, a fuel distributing flue, and a lifting deviceprovided with a series of lifting fingers adapted to be inserted intothe spaces between the ribs for lifting a unit of bricks into or out ofthe kiln-chamber through the opening in the end thereof.

72. In an apparatus of the character de= scribed, a series of movablekiln-chambers separably connected together and each hav-.

ing an open end, a closed end and a deflecting Wall spaced from theclosed end to form a combustion chamber,longitudinally spaced ribs orbrick supports 1n the lower part of said kiln-chambers, the spacesbetween the rihs forming open-topped flues,

means for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber, and apparatusfor handling the bricks in unit groups through the open ends of saidkiln-chambers.

73. In an apparatus of the character denoaaoao scribed, a series ofconnected kiln-chambers l each provided with brick supporting ribs inits bottom and spaces-between said ribs. and each chamber also havingsuitablyspaced brick-supporting ribs on the top 1 thereof for supportingbricks to be dried. 7 4. In an apparatus of the character de 1 scribed,a series of connected kiln-chambers, each chamber being provided with acombusl tion chamber. brick supporting ribs in the bottom of saidchambers with intervening 5 spaces between said ribs, and suitablyspaced brick supporting ribs on the top of said chambers.

75. In an apparatus of the character de- 1 scribed, 11 series ofconnected kiln-chambers i each provided with a combustion chamber. nfuaifdistributing flue communicating with i said combustion chamber, andsuitably 1 spaced thick-supporting ribs in the bottom of the' chamber,and suitably spaced brick supporting ribs on the top of said chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDER A. SCOTT. VVit-nesses RALPH L. SCOTT,

i WILLARD H. HARTING.

